Ubuntu Upgrade

[bazra]

First time using Linux, used Ubuntu 7.10 disk, after methodically taking long time to get everything right, offered Upgrade to 8.04 LTS.

If I accept will all my personal settings and data still be accessible, more important will my desktop & personalised settings stay the same?


Regards Bazra

[arochester]

7.10 =2007, 10 (October)
8.04=2008, 04 (April)

There is always a danger that an upgrade will not work. If it does work your settings and data will remain.

But a new install is the best option. If your download speed is fast enough get 10.04 - although 10.10 is nearly here.

[bazra]

Thanks arochester.
I was fed up with windows changing every 2 or 3 years, every time it changed it moved things arround, ie buttons in a diferent place.
(a) How long can I keep Ubuntu 7.10 as a working system before I have to change or upgrade?
(2) If I had a new install would all the basic buttons (not mine, The opperating systems) be in the same place?
(3) With a new upgrade, would I have to format my hard-drive?
(4) where is the best place to get it?

[arochester]

1) It depends what you want. 7.10 was only updated to September 2009. But if you aren't looking for updates. 8.04 was LTS - Long Term Support, but it has now been replaced by 10.04 LTS.
2) Generally yes. I don't know if it's 10.04 or 10.10 where the window buttons (minimise, maximise, close) move from the right to the left - but there are fixes for that.
3) Ubuntu formats the bit it goes into. Just tell it to install in the same place and it takes care of everything.
4) If you can download go to Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu . An alternative is to ask for a disk. It might take 6-10 weeks to come. https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[reed9]

If 3 years support is too little for you, you might want to look into running a RHEL clone, like CentOS or Scientific Linux.

End of life for the 5.5 release is 2014, and if you move up to the 6.0 release when it happens (most likely early 2011-ish), the full life cycle is 7 years, I think.